Clauses

Hello, and welcome to Myriora English! A clause is a group of words with a verb, and someone or something doing it. We ate lunch. That's a clause: we is who, and ate is the verb.

A main clause makes sense on its own. It could be a sentence by itself: we went inside. A subordinate clause adds extra information. It often starts with a word like because, when, if or although: because it was raining. On its own, it doesn't make sense.

Put them together, and you get one sentence. We went inside because it was raining. The subordinate clause can go first, too. Because it was raining, we went inside. When it comes first, we put a comma after it.

Let's try one together. Which part is the main clause? When the bell rang, the children lined up. Say it out loud!

The children lined up! That part makes sense on its own. When the bell rang needs more, so it's the subordinate clause.

Here's a common mistake. This is written like a sentence, but it's only a subordinate clause. If you finish your dinner, what happens? It needs a main clause. If you finish your dinner, you can have pudding.

Your turn! Which one is a subordinate clause? Pick the right card. You've got eight seconds, or pause the video. Go!

Time's up! Although it was late is the subordinate clause. It can't stand on its own.

Quick review. A clause has a verb, and someone or something doing it. A main clause makes sense on its own. A subordinate clause adds information, and can't stand alone. If the subordinate clause comes first, add a comma. See you next time!